Comcast increasing internet speeds for most customers

Comcast has announced that it is increasing the speeds of some of its most popular Xfinity Internet service tiers for new and existing customers. The increased speeds started rolling out to customers on Tuesday. This photo shows the server room at the Comcast Center.
Submitted Photo

Comcast has announced that it is increasing the speeds of some of its most popular Xfinity Internet service tiers for new and existing customers. The increased speeds started rolling out to customers on Tuesday. This photo shows a Comcast4 gateway and laptop.
Submitted Photo

Manchester, N.H. >> Comcast customers across 14 states will see an increase in the speed of its Xfinity Internet service.

The company announced Tuesday that it is increasing the speeds of some of its most popular Xfinity Internet service tiers for new and existing customers in the Northeast Division, which includes Pennsylvania.

Customers from Maine to Virginia, including more than one million in the greater Philadelphia region, will have their internet speeds increased at no additional cost. Speeds will increase based on a customer’s current speed subscription, but the majority, according to the company will see an increase of 50 Mbps.

“With new devices coming online for consumers every day, we’re committed to offering the fastest speeds and the best features and overall experience so our customers can take advantage of the technology available,” Kevin Casey, president of Comcast’s Northeast Division said in a press release. “We’ve increased speeds 17 times in the last 17 years, and continue to invest to deliver a fast, innovative and reliable experience in and out of the home.”

“The number of devices in the house 15 years ago is vastly different from what it is today. We are staying ahead of that demand,” said Jennifer Bilotta, Comcast vice president, communications.

Customers will begin to notice the enhanced speeds this month, according to Bilotta, who said the increases are already being applied.

“Customers want faster speeds and the ability to have more devices connected and going at the same,” she said.

For most customers, the upgrade to the new speeds will happen automatically, and they will just need to restart their modems.

“Everyone should restart the modems, then do a speed test. If they don’t notice the increased speed then they can wait a week or so and try again,” Bilotta said. She added that the easiest way to restart the modem is by using the free Xfinity My Account app.

There may be some customers, however, who will need to upgrade their modems. Bilotta said those customers have already been notified by Comcast.

Customers that lease modems from Comcast and require an upgrade, can do so for no additional charge by requesting a self-install kit or by visiting an Xfinity Store or by calling 1-800-COMCAST. Those who own modems that require an upgrade can purchase a new one or lease an Xfinity modem, which includes Xfinity xFi, which is a digital dashboard that lets customers personalize, manage and control their home Wi-Fi experience.

Bilotta pointed out that there is no negative impact for customers if they don’t restart or upgrade the modem right away.

“They won’t lose service — they just won’t see the faster speeds,” she added.

Comcast has taken a number of steps to enhance its high-speed internet offerings, according to the release, investing billions of dollars in its local and national network. In the Northeast Division, the company delivers speeds ranging from up to 15 Mbps to up to 2 Gbps for residential customers and up to 10 Gbps for business customers.

Comcast’s 1 Gigabit-per-second speeds began launching to local residential and business customers last summer. The service uses DOCSIS 3.1 technology to make it possible for Xfinity and Comcast Business internet customers to receive gigabit speeds over the communications lines that most customers already have in place. It is currently available across 80 percent of the division and will reach almost all areas by the end of the year, according to the company.

Comcast also introduced the in-home WiFi gateway. And on the go, Comcast provides Xfinity Internet customers with complimentary access to more than 18 million Xfinity WiFi hotspots nationwide. Customers can select “xfinitywifi” from the list of available networks on their laptops or mobile devices and enter their Xfinity ID or email and password.

Comcast’s Northeast division serves 14 states and the District of Columbia, including Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties.